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FIREFIGHTERS were rushed to a kitchen fire in Thurrock yesterday, after a dog switched on the microwave while its owner was out.

The owner discovered
the blaze when they noticed smoke in their kitchen whilst viewing a
live CCTV feed of the property on their phone.

Two fire crews – from
Corringham and Grays – were scrambled to the two-storey property in
Kingsman Road, Stanford le Hope, at 2.38pm on Monday, December 2.

The owner’s husky had
jumped up and switched on the microwave.

Inside the microwave,
the owner had left a packet of bread rolls, which caught light.

Firefighters were able
to enter the property and put out the fire before the dog came to any
harm.

Geoff Wheel, watch
manager at Corringham fire station, said: “Clearly, this is a very
strange incident involving the man’s dog, but it could still have
been more serious.

“When we arrived, the
kitchen was filled with smoke. Firefighters ensured the damage did
not spread beyond the kitchen area, but it demonstrates that
microwaves shouldn’t be used to store food when they aren’t in
use.

“Our advice is to
always keep your microwave clean and free of clutter or food and any
packaging.

“Animals and children
can turn them on more easily than you might think, so please don’t
run the risk.”